Working as a Fitness Model

Working as a Fitness Model – What is it Really Like to Work as a Fitness Model?

by Alyssa Vingan at Fashionista.Com

You may ask; “Can I become a fitness model and work in something I love? With all the diets and healthy lifestyle issues nowadays, fitness modeling presents big opportunities! If you are a hard body you might qualify for this lucrative field.

But, what is it really like to be working as a fitness model strutting your stuff?

This article from Alyssa Vingan over at Fashionista gives an insiders view of the health and fitness model’s life & lifestyle. Let’s see what she has to say about getting involved and modeling in fitness jobs.

working as a fitness model

What about Fashion & Fitness Modeling?

The impact that the fitness industry has had on fashion over the past few seasons is undeniable.

With a growing number of designers tapping into the activewear market, to the “sporty chic” trend that’s taken over the runways during Fashion Month, to the growing popularity of high-end “athleisure” brands and boutiques, it’s become commonplace for even the most style-savvy women to default to workout gear and sneakers on both their off and on-duty days.

The modeling industry, which has a reputation for glorifying a waif-like body type, is beginning to shift with the trend.

Just take a look at the newly revamped Self magazine, which has placed super-fit high fashion models like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Candice Swanepoel, Hilary Rhoda and Joan Smalls on recent covers.

Much like in the realm of luxury fashion, these women represent an inspirational lifestyle — although they might sooner encourage consumers to sign up for a gym membership than to invest in the latest “It” bag — and while many fashion brands (and big-name models) have hopped on the fitness bandwagon lately, there’s long been a sector of the modeling worldthat’s focused solely on selling an active, healthy way of life.

Activewear brands typically look to fitness models for their e-commerce shoots and ad campaigns, and while the job description may be similar to that of a fashion model, the physical requirements are vastly different.

Charlee Atkins, who’s posed for clients like Nike, Target and Sports Authority, and is a full-time senior instructor at SoulCycle, initially thought she wasn’t tall enough to model, but was approached by a magazine editor in one of her classes who wanted to book her for a shoot.

“Fitness models can be a bit shorter — in the 5’5″ to 5’7″ range — but last year there was a push to find models that were taller,” she says.

“We typically don’t have as big of boobs [as commercial models] and have more of a boxy shape, but it depends on what your fitness specialty is, like dancing, boxing or yoga.“

Much like fashion models, fitness models spend much of their time at go-sees with clients, but since shoots are extremely physical, they’re asked to do more than just show off their walks or try on clothing.

“Each casting is different, but they all want to see you in activewear and to see how your muscles work — we basically wear no clothes,” Atkins says. “Most clients want to see a squat, a lunge, pushups or burpees.

The reason why fitness modeling popped off is because they needed women who could hold poses for longer.“

So you see, working as a fitness model is not much different from other types.

No matter your physical form or talent, the answer to how to become a model still lies in practice, patience and most of all, contacting modeling agencies so your talent can be seen by others.

There is no substitute for marketing yourself, no matter what modeling type you plan to